A:
There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable
and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You
can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green
Guru's secret identity.

Monday - March 23, 2009

QUESTION:

We transplanted a plant that is new to us but going through your photos on your website, it appears that we have a Dasylirion Leiophy. My question is this.. Are we supposed to cut the 6' stem that flowers, or will it produce flowers on the same stem yearly?

ANSWER:

The Desert Candle Dasylirion leiophyllum (green sotol) is one of the spectacular members of the agave family that grow in Texas. Its flowering stalk can reach up to 20 ft. Once the blooms have faded, you may remove the stalk, and the plant will produce a new stalk each year. If you are interested in collecting seeds, let the seed pods turn brown before removing the stalk.

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